Ruling on the Second Congregation and the Iqamah

✦ Extracted from: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1
Organized for clarity and understanding.

❖ Question​

Our local religious teacher says that if a person regularly prays all five prayers in congregation, and he happens to miss the congregational prayer due to some necessity, only then is he allowed to hold a second congregation. Otherwise, holding a second congregation is generally not permissible. Is this view correct? Also, should the iqāmah be called for the second congregation?

❖ Answer​

The opinion held by the teacher—that a second congregation is only for those who habitually pray in congregation—is incorrect.

Allah Almighty has given a general command for praying in congregation which applies to all Muslims, whether they regularly pray in congregation or not.

❖ Qur’anic Evidence​

Allah says:
"وَارْكَعُوا مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ"
(Al-Baqarah: 2/43)
“And bow with those who bow [in prayer].”

This verse includes all believers, and the command to pray in congregation is not restricted to a specific group.

Therefore, if someone misses the first congregation for any reason, they are allowed to hold a second congregation, regardless of how regularly they attend the congregational prayers.

❖ Regarding the Iqamah​

The iqāmah should also be called for the second congregation. It is a Sunnah of the prayer and should not be omitted.

❖ Summary​

◄ Holding a second congregation is permissible for all, whether or not they are regular attendees of the first congregation.
◄ The iqāmah should be called for the second congregation as it is a Sunnah.

❖ Reference​

◄ The Noble Qur’an, Sūrah al-Baqarah: 2/43